When I went away to college it was the most freedom that I had experienced up to that point. As exciting and new as that was, it was also overwhelming. Students today are more stressed than ever and it’s totally scary to go to college not knowing how to take care of yourself.

I heard from a lot of girls that they had the back-to-school scaries and I felt it too. Getting into the swing of things can be difficult after break (and now a snow day).

So I decided to make a list of all the resources I had for girls to help make their transition easier, but it turned into a moment where I began to reflect on what I have created. It reminded me of when I used to choreograph for dance. I would hear music and be able to see how I wanted everyone to move in my mind. After months of practice, it was complete on stage. What was once in my head, had become something greater than myself with the help of others. It conjured awe and that’s what looking at my mentoring practice feels like for me. I am in awe.

Last spring while I finished up school, I started to babysit a precocious two year old. I would try (and fail) to define awe. When we would look at the clear New York City skyline from Hoboken, I’d try to convey awe in terms of wonder. One night we chased a big full moon. Awe in terms of vastness. How I wouldn’t see him for a week and by the next time I was over, he’d have all these new words in his vocabulary. Awe from being amazed. This is what I feel when I look at the girls I’ve mentored. The feeling of being blown away, largely thanks to all of you.

I encourage everyone to seek out moments of wonder, not only because it feels good, but studies have even found, “connections between the experience of awe and enhanced critical and creative thinking faculties, improved health, a sense of embeddedness into collective folds and an increase in pro-social behaviours such as kindness, self-sacrifice, co-operation and resource-sharing,” (Psychology Today).

I wanted to share a story that I’ve used with my girls in my mentoring sessions. Recently, I saw a man with a shirt that said: Good Vibes Self Made and it inspired me! Sometimes I think we get really stuck in looking to things on the outside to make us feel good on the inside. We want the people and situations around us to change in order to make us feel better. Any emotion that you want to feel can be yours if you choose it. This can happen despite external circumstances because everyone is responsible for their own happiness. Good vibes are indeed are self made.

Did you watch the eclipse today? I was working with a student so we got to witness the event together! So cool! I wanted to share an eclipse ritual (I share this on Instagram too) that I’ve been doing. It’s so good to do before the start of school. It’s to let go of the old to make way for the new!

✨Eclipse Magic✨ The big eclipse today makes it the perfect moment for a little bit of magic.

🔮Cast your spell by releasing anything that has been holding you back (feeling not good enough, unworthiness, lack of self-love) and set some positive school year resolutions.💫 Write down what you’d like to let go of then rip it up or burn it. After set the intention of what you’d like to bring into your life like feeling more confident, taking care of your body, picking friends that make you feel good, cultivating inner peace… possibilities are endless! 🌙

Let me know if you do this and what magic happens in your life! Happy eclipse-ing!!

I have big news! My meditation album is finally available! When I work with students, whether it’s one-on-one or in a group, I always use these centering exercises. Meditation has been show to reduce stress and anxiety and I know from my personal practice that it’s a game-changer. I produced four different meditations based on what my students liked and wanted most.

They were a blast to put together! As a way to celebrate, our Friday Night HangIn this Friday November 11th on the album launch and talking about stress and how to relax in order to find more happiness. It’s the last one of 2016!! Can you believe it? Please let me know if you have any questions!

I’ve received so many SOS texts about Halloween that I actually feel bad that I’m just doing this video now. Between group costumes and parties the drama has been all over the place. Halloween is a holiday that brings up a lot of issues around inclusiveness, which is HUGE and important to middle and high school girls. Today I’m talking about my two approaches to Halloween stress.

In one of my grad school classes last week, we learned about dopamine in the adolescent brain. It was so enlightening that I wanted to share! Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate emotional responses. Its production is naturally lower in adolescents which may lead to impulsivity, feeling of bored, being overall blah, and makes kids more susceptible to stress. Check out today’s video for more on dopamine and why it’s important! I wish I had known about this when I was a teen!

The phrase “stay in your own lane” can be another way to tell someone to mind their own business, but today, I’m talking about it as if you’re saying it to yourself. It’s this phrase that I repeat when I find myself putting a lot of energy into others, which inevitably takes away from some of my own magic. Check out today’s video for more insight!